Real Madrid Without Benzema Again For Girona Test

Benzema has missed Madrid's past two matches because of muscular fatigue in his left leg.

Real Madrid defeated Sevilla 3-1 in La Liga without the Ballon D'or winner last weekend before succumbing 3-2 to RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.

Although Benzema has returned to Real Madrid training in recent days, manager Carlo Ancelotti does not consider him fit enough to be considered for selection, with caution being taken with the Frenchman ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Ancelotti said of Benzema: "Yesterday he trained, after that he wasn't feeling very well. We had some tests and everything was fine, but we just want to be careful.

"The tests were quite positive, there was no problem at all, but he isn't feeling 100 per cent, so we are going to remain calm with him."

Benzema has scored five goals in seven La Liga games this season.

Another player who is a doubt for the Girona game is Rodrygo Goes but Ancelotti will welcome Luka Modric, Federico Valverde and Dani Ceballos back into the squad after they all missed the defeat to Leipzig.

Ancelotti is expecting his boys to respond to their first loss of the season.

The Italian said: "I think the team learned [from the loss to Leipzig] that we need to prep for every game as if it's the most important of the season.

"Sometimes when you play every three days you need to recover physically and it is not easy to always stay motivated."